United States President Donald Trump has said American forces, in coordination with Nigerian security agencies, carried out airstrikes in Sokoto State that killed an Islamic State commander and several other militants.
The operation, conducted in northwestern Nigeria, was confirmed by US Africa Command, which said the strikes were executed alongside Nigerian authorities. A US official told Reuters that multiple targets were hit, though details on the identity and rank of those killed were not immediately disclosed.
Announcing the strike on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said the action targeted fighters linked to Islamic State and framed the operation as a response to ongoing attacks in the region.
“Tonight, at my direction as Commander-in-Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist scum in Northwest Nigeria,” he said. He added that the militants had been responsible for violence against civilians, stating that they had been “targeting and viciously killing primarily innocent Christians.”
Trump further warned that the operation was intended as a deterrent. “I have previously warned these terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughter… there would be hell to pay — and tonight, there was.”
He also said, “The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing. Under my leadership, our country will not allow radical Islamic terrorism to prosper.”
Nigeria’s government confirmed that the airstrikes were part of ongoing security cooperation and intelligence sharing between both countries.
Nigeria’s president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, responded by calling for restraint and national unity. He reiterated that his administration remains focused on protecting citizens regardless of religious background and strengthening security across affected regions.
“We remain committed to doing everything within our power to uphold religious freedom in Nigeria and protect Christians, Muslims and all Nigerians from violence,” Tinubu said in a statement.
Security sources say the northwest has become increasingly active with factions linked to Islamic State, particularly mobile armed groups operating across border areas. Authorities have not confirmed which specific faction was targeted in the Sokoto strike.
Analysts suggest the operation may be linked to a Sahel-based Islamic State network that has expanded activity in border communities, carrying out raids on villages and attacks on security personnel.
The strike comes amid broader international counterterrorism operations against Islamic State targets in Africa and the Middle East, as Nigeria continues to face persistent insecurity driven by armed groups, kidnappings, and insurgent activity across several regions.
